Baildon residents, green space activists and local councillors have joined Shipley MP Philip Davies in expressing outrage at an influx of travellers at the controversial Buck Lane site.

The site is being marketed as a desirable spot for a hi-tech business park by Bradford Council, despite intense local opposition to the scheme.

But yesterday the Council’s low-tech attempt to stop illegal entry to the flat fields failed spectacularly, said Edward Butterworth, secretary of Buck Lane action group BRAID.

He captured snaps of the convoy of caravans, white vans and shiny 4x4s as it entered the site simply by driving on to the pavement and around concrete slabs left neatly on the roadway entrance.

“It was the sort of obstacle which sadly would only deter polite people,” Mr Butterworth said.

“The scene reminded me of the circus coming to town.”

Mr Butterworth said BRAID had warned the Council that the site was not secure and that there also was a weak gate to the property.

Bradford councillor Roger L’Amie, said he had told the Council to tighten up the Buck Lane perimeter.

“It amazes me that if we as law-abiding taxpayers leave our car on Council car parks for ten minutes too long – we get a fine. Yet these people are allowed to get away with almost anything.”

One resident who asked not to be named said: “It’s a gipsy paradise thanks to the Council who have flattened out areas for caravans and put in a nice new access road.

“And the fields run down to the river so there’s easy watering for horses too.

“They’ll stay here as long as they possibly can and the nonsense has already started with loud music at night and vehicles tearing about.”

Coun L’Amie said: “I also understand gipsies have set up camp on the Coach Park below the aqueduct at Esholt. It’s outrageous. There are plenty of legal places for these people to go.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “It was bad enough that the Council granted planning permission for this site against the wishes of the local community, but to then not ensure it was properly protected against an influx of gipsies adds insult to injury and highlights the incompetence of Bradford Council”

John Major, Bradford Council’s assistant director for environmental health and regulatory services, said: “We have received reports of new traveller encampments on two sites in the district, including Buck Lane, and an officer has visited both to investigate.

“Both sites are Council-owned land and as the travellers have expressed no intention of moving in the immediate future, we have begun Court proceedings to get an order that will require the sites to be vacated.”